"grey hill, army hill"
Origin: Old English har + hlaw
Language: English
Harlow
Pronunciation: [ h-AHRL-oh ]
Does Harlow flow with your last name?
A Hollywood-forged name for the bold and glamorous
English
American
Vintage
Bold
Modern
Strong
Earthy
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Harlow
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Harlow
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"rock hill, old hill"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Harlow
See all →What the Harlow report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Harlow the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Harlow
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Harlow head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Harlow actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
Things to Know About This Name
- Strongly associated with Jean Harlow, the 1930s Hollywood actress — a female association that may concern parents choosing it for boys
The Story of Harlow
Harlow is an English surname derived from the Old English har (grey, old) + hlaw (hill, mound) meaning grey hill or army hill. It appears as a place name in Essex and West Yorkshire, England. As a given name, Harlow has traditionally been more feminine (owing to Jean Harlow) but has been crossing to boys, reflecting the broader trend of surname-derived names moving across gender lines.
Harlow gained prominence as a baby name for girls when Nicole Richie and Joel Madden named their daughter Harlow in 2008. For boys, it has been rising as part of the vintage Hollywood surname trend alongside names like Marlowe and Bowie. Its gender-neutral quality appeals to modern parents.
Jean Harlow (1911-1937) was Hollywood's original Blonde Bombshell, one of the biggest stars of the 1930s. Her early death at 26 gave her name an air of glamorous tragedy. For boys, the name evokes English countryside heritage and a certain old-world style.
Historical Record
Harlow first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 1,242 babies have been named Harlow in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Harlow is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #1,249 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Jean Harlow became the first actress to appear on the cover of Life magazine
- Harlow is both a place in Essex, England and a famous town in West Yorkshire
Harlow in Other Languages
French
Harlow
German
Harlow
Spanish
Harlow
Popularity Over Time
#1,249
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Harlow
H
Harlow Madden
Other
2008
Daughter of Nicole Richie and Joel Madden whose birth helped popularize the name for girls
J
Jean Harlow
Actor
1911
American actress and Hollywood's original Platinum Blonde, one of the biggest stars of the 1930s
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Justice
Boy
"fair administration of law"
#1,081
Percy
Boy
"pierces the valley"
#1,256
Kymir
Boy
"prince (from Arabic amir root)"
#1,327
Niam
Boy
"luminous, shining"
#1,435
Crosby
Boy
"village of the cross, farm by the cross"
#1,202
Compare Harlow with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,249
- Total SSA Count
- 158
- Cultural Origins
- English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Harl
Harlo
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Harlow
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Harlow fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Girl Name
Harlow is also used as a girl name, ranked #293.
View Harlow as a girl name →Similar Names
See all names like Harlow →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Harlow with...
Same Origin Names (English)
See all English names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Harlow
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Harlow and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Harlow sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Justice
Boy
Old French origin
"fair administration of law"
#1,081 in US
Percy
Boy
Gaulish/Norman origin
"pierces the valley"
#1,256 in US
Kymir
Boy
Arabic influence origin
"prince (from Arabic amir root)"
#1,327 in US
Niam
Boy
Celtic origin
"luminous, shining"
#1,435 in US
Crosby
Boy
Old Norse origin
"village of the cross, farm by the cross"
#1,202 in US
Isiah
Boy
Hebrew origin
"God is salvation"
#1,312 in US
Canyon
Boy
Spanish canon origin
"deep gorge, ravine"
#1,440 in US
Kelvin
Boy
Brythonic Celtic origin
"from the River Kelvin, narrow river"
#1,084 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Harlow's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Harlow
What does the name Harlow mean?
"grey hill, army hill" (from Old English har + hlaw). "rock hill, old hill" (from Old English). Harlow is an English surname derived from the Old English har (grey, old) + hlaw (hill, mound) meaning grey hill or army hill. It appears as a place name in Essex and West Yorkshire, England. As a given name, Harlow has traditionally been more feminine (owing to Jean Harlow) but has been crossing to boys, reflecting the broader trend of surname-derived names moving across gender lines.
What is the origin of the name Harlow?
Harlow has Old English har + hlaw, Old English, English, and American origins. In Old English har + hlaw, it means "grey hill, army hill". In Old English, it means "rock hill, old hill".
Is Harlow a boy or girl name?
Harlow is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1249. As a girl name, it is ranked #293. Harlow is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Harlow?
Harlow is pronounced h-AHRL-oh.
How popular is the name Harlow?
Harlow is currently ranked #1249 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Harlow?
Common nicknames for Harlow include Harl and Harlo.
What are good middle names for Harlow?
Popular middle name pairings include Harlow James, Harlow Cash, Harlow Cole, Harlow Rye, Harlow Blue, and Harlow Fox.
What are good sibling names for Harlow?
Names that pair well with Harlow as siblings include Hendrix, Marlowe, Wilder, Lennon, Cleo, and Bowie.
How many syllables does Harlow have?
Harlow has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Harlow a common or rare name?
Harlow is an uncommon name, ranked #1249 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Harlow?
About the Name Harlow
Harlow is a boy name with English and American origins . The name means "grey hill, army hill" in Old English har + hlaw .
Is Harlow a boy or girl name? Harlow is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,249 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #293. Harlow is more commonly used as a girl name.
Harlow is currently ranked #1,249 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Harlow has 2 syllables and is pronounced h-AHRL-oh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Harlow include Harl and Harlo. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Harlow include Harlan, Harlem, Harley, Harlen, Harland . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Old English har + hlaw Names
Browse all names with this origin
H
Names Starting with H
More boy names like Harlow
Rising Names
Names gaining popularity right now
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis